A heated conflict has erupted within MAGA circles, spotlighting a contentious debate over high-skilled immigration and free speech. The dispute centers on Elon Musk, owner of the X platform, and conservative firebrand Laura Loomer. Loomer claims her X Premium account was deactivated in retaliation for her criticism of Musk's support for H-1B visas, a program allowing U.S. companies to hire skilled foreign workers. Musk's defense of high-skilled immigration has drawn sharp criticism from MAGA stalwarts, highlighting a divide within the movement.
The controversy escalated after President-elect Donald Trump appointed venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as senior policy advisor on artificial intelligence. Krishnan's alleged support for reforming H-1B visas to prioritize merit-based selections sparked outrage among Trump's base. Loomer condemned the appointment as "deeply disturbing" and characterized South Asian migrants as "third-world invaders from India," a remark widely criticized as racist.
Musk has consistently defended the value of high-skilled immigration. He shared posts emphasizing the need for "super talented engineers" to maintain U.S. competitiveness, stating, "This is the right position for those who want America to win." Musk's stance aligns with other prominent tech leaders, including Vivek Ramaswamy, who will co-lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump's administration. Ramaswamy reiterated his position, calling for a replacement of the "broken" H-1B system with one that selects "the very best of the best."
Conservatives such as Steve Bannon and Loomer view Musk's position as a betrayal of MAGA values. Bannon accused Musk of showing his "true colors," while Loomer launched a series of attacks on X, accusing Musk of leveraging his influence in Trump's orbit to push a pro-Big Tech agenda. "You bought your way into MAGA 5 minutes ago," Loomer wrote, adding that Musk's policies are incompatible with the needs of American workers.
Loomer's critique extended beyond immigration policy. She accused Musk of censorship after losing her X Premium verification and monetization privileges. "My voice has been stifled," Loomer told Rolling Stone. "We either have free speech for all, or free speech for nobody." She linked the deactivation to her outspoken criticism of H-1B visas and Musk's support for tech-centric reforms.
The dispute has prompted reactions across the political spectrum. David Sacks, another tech executive and Trump appointee, dismissed Loomer's criticisms as crude and misinformed. "Sriram [Krishnan] has been a U.S. citizen for a decade. He's not 'running America.' He's advising on A.I. policy." Sacks wrote on X. "He will have no influence over U.S. immigration policy. These attacks have become crude, and not in the holiday spirit. I'm signing off now. Have a merry Christmas."
Meanwhile, liberals have found themselves unexpectedly aligning with Loomer on the issue of worker exploitation. Critics argue that H-1B visas enable companies to import cheaper labor at the expense of American workers. "American workers can leave a company. Imported H-1B workers can't," conservative commentator Ann Coulter noted.
